STEALING OF SHEEP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22774, 7 July 1937, Page 18

STEALING OF SHEEP

PREVALENCE AT WAIMATE USE OF LORRIES ALLEGED Sheep stealing Jias become prevalent in the "Waimate district, Canterbury, according to several complaints made by members of the committee of the Waimate branch of tho New Zealand Farmers' Union, at the last meeting of the committee. Mr. A. W. Robinson said that he lost six sheep last year and another six this year. Many others in the Waituna, Kohika and Hunter districts had suffered losses, be said. It was believed that small lorries wore used by the thieves at night. He urged that the regulations should be tightened up. j Mr. I. Ross said that about 150 sheep had been lost in the Inst four years by one of his neighbours, including one lot of 52, about, two years ago. The matter should be placed in the hands of tho police. No lorries were used near that part of the district. He recommended the use, as a check, of a small eloctricallv-heatcd face brand.

The chairman, Mr. J. Dempsey, said that such a brand might not be of much use, as the stolen sheep were often sold as rejects from the freezing works.

Mr. C. G. Preece: All losses should bo reported immediately to the police, and all lorries should be made to have the name of the owner painted clearly on tho cab.

The Chairman: We shall have to leave it at that at present, but farmers should keep their eyes open, and report losses to tho police.